Coping Up With Depression During Menopause
If there were one disease caused by biological factors that is very hard to deal with, it would be depression. Depression or the condition of feeling sad or despondentcharacterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, and feelings of extreme sadness, dejection, melancholy, and hopelessnessis one of the visible symptoms of menopause especially for women.
Caused by the dropping of serotonina hormone in the brain that regulates a person’s moodlevels, depression has been linked to menopause because it has been observed that women who are on the verge of this phase experience intense mood fluctuations and severe episodes of sadness and confusion.
Experts say that depression is normal for menopausal women but it should be addressed properly so it wouldn’t lead to more serious health, emotional, and behavioral problems.
UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION DURING MENOPAUSE
Studies show that 8 to 15 percent of menopausal women experience depression. Experts say that the end of menstruation or menopause triggers episodes of depression and sadness in most women because of drastic hormonal changes that are left unsettled or not addressed.
Various researches prove that women who have a history of mood disorders, those who have been depressed beforeespecially during 20s, those who have underwent surgical or operational procedures, those who are smoking, dealing with so many children, or those who have work that causes a lot of stress are more likely to develop depression during menopause.
Symptoms of depression during menopause include sleeping disorders, hot flushes, loss of energy or fatigue, irritability, anxiety, excessive feeling of guilt or worthlessness, difficulty in concentrating or confusion, decreased interest or pleasure in activities, drastic change in appetite, and two or more weeks of depressed mood that may lead to extreme restlessness and suicidal tendencies.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Although depression is a natural occurrence during menopausal years, experts say that this should not be neglected because it can lead to more episodes of fluctuating moods and physical implications.
Although it is hard to deal with because it involves emotional and hormonal factors, medical authorities agree that depression is treatable when addressed properly. Here are some suggestions and treatment options that can help you cope up with depression during menopause:
1. Consider depression treatments and medications. Seeking help if you are suffering from depression during menopausal years is the first step in curing the “disease.” Today, there are actually many effective and well-tolerated medications available depending on your need. Being an essential part of treating depression, antidepressant medications such as Selected Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) help to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain.
Aside from antidepressants, therapies such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Estrogen Therapy can help in especially in early menopausal stages. Before taking in any of these, make sure that you have consulted your physician first so you can discuss the risks and benefits of such treatments and medications. Psychotherapy is also one effective way to combat menopausal depression.
With the help of trained social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists, you can learn how to cope up with the negative feelings over menopausal years. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT that teaches better ways of thinking and behaving and Interpersonal Therapy or IPT that helps the person communicate more effectively are available for you.
2. Schedule for a physical examination. As women grown older, physical changes emerge that lead to physical health problems. Getting a thorough physical examination is one way to know if you are about to experience any physical ailments caused by depressive symptoms.
3. Try out alternative medicines, herbal therapies or remedies, and dietary supplements. Organic and herbal medications have grown popular the years for its healing properties. Today, the most popular herb used to cure depression is St John’s Wort because it can help reduce effects of estrogen fluctuations.
Although many people attest to its effects, there have been no scientific studies that support the effectivity and safety of this alternative medicine. Before trying any of these herbal or organic products, make sure you inform your physician so further damage can be avoided especially if you are under any monitored medication.
4. Engage in physical activities or regular exercise. Experts agree that exercise helps treat depression by releasing your body’s mood-elevating hormones that leads to a feeling of accomplishment and enhanced self-esteem.
5. Start changing your diet. Dietary changes like eating a well balanced diet and regularly scheduled meals are known to help a lot in managing depression.
Nathalie Fiset
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/coping-up-with-depression-during-menopause-72908.html
Menopause Symptoms
Menopause is said to occur in women when the ovaries gradually produce less and less of estrogen and eventually the production is stopped completely. Women suffering from menopause have to get their uterus removed surgically during the final stages. In the next paragraph we discuss the 35 most common menopause symptoms.
The 35 most common menopause symptoms are:-
1) Hot flashes that may occur regularly at night with excessive sweat
2) Irregular beating of the heart at sometime or the other
3) Frequent irritation
4) Psychological problem like mood swings and tears due to lack of sleep at night
5) Insomnia or lack of sleep at night due to hot flashes and excessive sweat.
6) Irregular periods where the gap between two periods becomes shorter or longer than normal
7) The loss of sexual drive or libido.
Vaginal Dryness
9) Getting tired quickly after doing chores and tasks.
10) Frequent feelings of anxiety and a feeling of being uncomfortable.
11) Feelings of loneliness and doom
12) Difficulty in concentrating on things and mental confusion
13) Frequent memory lapses
14) Incontinence when sneezing or laughing
15) Skin irritations like itchy and crawly skin
16) Aching muscles, joints and tendons.
17) Increase pain and tension in the muscle and joints
18) Breast related disorders like breast tenderness.
19) Frequent headaches and also migraine
20) Gastrointestinal disorders like excess gas
21) Sudden bouts of bloat.
22) Depression several times a day
23) Exacerbation or excessive worrying for existing conditions
24) An increased risk of suffering from a number of allergies.
25) Excessive weight gain and obesity related disorders
26) Thinning of hair and hair loss
27) Dizziness and frequent loss of balance.
28) Irregular body odor
29) Strange sensation under the skin
30) A tingling feeling in the extremities
31) Increased bleeding in the gums
32) Bad taste in mouth and bad breath
33) Osteoporosis
34) The fingernails become soft and cracked
35) Ringing in ears also known as tinnitus.
These are the most common symptoms found in women during menopause. Women should take care to see that none of the problems occur for a long time. In case any of the problems do not subside or get cured after a considerable amount of time then it is necessary to meet the doctor at once. The doctor will be able to diagnose the menopause and the stage that it has reached. The doctor will then start treatment which includes medications, hormone replacement therapy or completely removing the uterus.
Menopause is said to occur in women after the age of 40 years when the ovaries gradually fail to produce enough estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone produced in the body and is vital for reproductive cycle. As a result women often experience vaginal pain and dryness and also irregular menstrual cycle. Let us now delve further into early menopause symptoms.
There are three major early menopause symptoms which are as follows:
1) Irregular Vaginal Bleeding – This is one of the most common symptoms of menopause. The vagina may bleed at unexpected intervals and the period between two menstrual cycle may increase or decrease than normal. There may be excessive vaginal bleeding as well. In other words the pattern of bleeding not normal but highly irregular. The pattern of bleeding differs from woman to woman and also the stage at which the menopause as reached. Also there is no fixed time for a woman to complete her menopausal transition, as all the women are different. It is necessary to consult a doctor immediately if these symptoms persist for a long time.
2) Hot Flashes and Night Sweats – These are also very common early menopause symptoms. A hot flash is a feeling of unusual warmth throughout the body. A woman suffering from hot flash will feel warm even when the temperature of the environment is low. Hot flashes are always accompanied by excessive sweating, especially during the night. Researchers have not been able to find the exact reason for hot flashes nor have they been able to predict when the next hot flash will take place. Hot flashes occur in 40% of the women above the age of 40 years. Hot flashed tend to decrease over a period of several years after menopause is treated.
3) Mood Symptoms – The women suffering from menopause may experience different types of mood symptoms. Many times they feel that they are doomed. They also live in depression often. They lose their confidence and also may suffer from insomnia. Due to insomnia women suffer from severe bouts of mood swings and lose their cool easily.
Early menopause symptoms mentioned above are the most common symptoms. Women suffering from menopause need the support of their family members, especially of their spouses. Menopause should be looked as a natural ageing process than a disorder and it should also be treated that way. The doctors attending to menopause patients should instill a lot of positive attitude and confluence in them.
Leokadia Angela
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/menopause-symptoms-67832.html
Menopause – Natural Hrt Hormone Replacement Therapy
Most women experience symptoms of the menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause is caused by reduced levels of female hormones oestrogen and progesterone due to the ageing process. Menopause symptoms include hot flushes, irregular periods, night sweats, anxiety, depression and sleeping problems.
There are growing concerns about the safety of HRT in long-term use. Clinical studies indicate that HRT is associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. HRT has been shown to increase the risk of heart attacks and blood clots and strokes.
Hormonal changes can make you very emotional and you may get upset at the slightest problem. Hot flushes are a common problem which can cause embarrassment and wake you in the night. More women are turning towards natural remedies to treat menopause symptoms as they are worried about the possible side effects of prescription medication. Natural remedies used for easing menopause symptoms include:
• Agnus-Castus which helps regulate your periods<br>
• Black Cohosh eases hot flushes and helps you relax so that you sleep better.<br>
• Mexican Wild Yam helps with painful and irregular periods.<br>
• Red Clover helps to regulate hormone levels<br>
• Soy Isoflavones contain natural plant Phytoestrogens which are similar to human Oestrogen.<br>
• A healthy diet and regular exercise can also help to ease menopause symptoms.
It is interesting that Japanese women do not appear to suffer from hot flushes. This is thought to be due to their diet which is rich in Isoflavones. You can buy natural HRT remedies and health supplements from herbal stores and health food shops. There is no need to suffer menopause symptoms – all you need to do is decide which supplement you are going to take, and then you can look forward to the next phase of your life and freedom from having periods and monthly menstrual cramps.
Lin Parker
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-health-articles/menopause-natural-hrt-hormone-replacement-therapy-669387.html
Healthy Balanced Diet and Regular Exercises Should Count for Menopause Treatments
Both traditional and modern treatments are available for menopause symptoms. In fact menopause is not a disease. It is a natural process in woman’s life cycle. It happens when her ovary stops to produce eggs. Yet 80% of women face painful menopause. It affects their daily life. Both physical and emotional symptoms are experienced by most of the women.
Most of the women do not require any special treatment during menopause. A healthy and balanced diet and regular exercises will help to reduce most of the menopause symptoms. Care and affection from family members will reduce most of her emotional problems like depression, stress and mood changes etc. An understanding life partner can minimize the problems of painful menopause.
Most of the menopause problems occur due to decrease in estrogen level. Estrogen replacement therapy will help to get rid of many problems. Broken bones are the common problem faced by older women during menopause. Taking 1500 mg calcium daily in capsule form can balance the deficiency.
Sleeping disorder is another problem. It will increase the stress and depression of a woman. Night sweats and coldness may be the reason for sleeping disturbances. Sleeping pills recommended by your doctor will have sedation effect and you can get a sound sleep. Anti anxiety drugs are available to control anxiety that occur during menopause.
Most of the women experience the problem of vaginal dryness in their menopause. It is very uncomfortable. Estrogen tablet or cream can be administered that will help to provide lubricant. But it is a temporary relief only.
Hormone replacement therapy is one of the best treatments for reducing menopausal problems. It controls many diseases associated with menopause. Yet there are many risks like heart attack, ****** cancer, blood clot etc. There are equal benefits and risks in this treatment. So you must decide on your own whether to take the treatment or not.
Yet there are alternative treatments to hormone therapy. You can follow some general tips. A simple change in your daily life will help you to get rid of menopausal problems. You should avoid smoking and taking alcohol. Eat high fiber food and drink plenty of water. Natural herbal remedies are also available which have no side effects. Dong quai and black cogosh are excellent herbs that help in minimizing many of the symptoms. Avoiding tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks will help more.
You should maintain your blood pressure level. You should take nutrition food that has good source of calcium and vitamins. Water melon and citrus fruits can control urinary tract infections. Regular exercises like walking will help you to keep healthy and strong. Drinking plenty of water and maintaining personal hygiene will help a lot.
By: Muna wa Wanjiru (Download Free Anxiety Treatment)
About the Author:
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Menopause for Years. For More Information on Menopause Treatments, Visit His Site at MENOPAUSE TREATMENTS
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